The grey haired gaming generation: Findings from an explorative interview study on older computer gamers
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In: Games and Culture , Vol. 4, No. 1, 01.2009, p. 27-46.
Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research
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TY - JOUR
T1 - The grey haired gaming generation
T2 - Findings from an explorative interview study on older computer gamers
AU - Quandt, Thorsten
AU - Grüninger, Helmut
AU - Wimmer, Jeffrey
PY - 2009/1
Y1 - 2009/1
N2 - The market for adult computer gamers is growing considerably. However, there are nearly no empirical works that are primarily focusing this age group. Therefore, there is an urgent need for explorative studies on these gamers. In a qualitative in-depth interview study with 21 gamers aged between 35 and 73 years, this article describes their gaming careers, the integration of gaming into their everyday life, and aspects of social interaction within real and virtual life. Overall, the findings of this study sketch a lively picture of adult players. Many of the interviewees show a very strong interest in the social aspects of gaming. However, gaming can put some strain on their family life, and many older gamers feel that their partners and peers regard their hobby as being inappropriate for their age. Still, most of the interview partners successfully manage to combine occupational and private duties with their gaming activities.
AB - The market for adult computer gamers is growing considerably. However, there are nearly no empirical works that are primarily focusing this age group. Therefore, there is an urgent need for explorative studies on these gamers. In a qualitative in-depth interview study with 21 gamers aged between 35 and 73 years, this article describes their gaming careers, the integration of gaming into their everyday life, and aspects of social interaction within real and virtual life. Overall, the findings of this study sketch a lively picture of adult players. Many of the interviewees show a very strong interest in the social aspects of gaming. However, gaming can put some strain on their family life, and many older gamers feel that their partners and peers regard their hobby as being inappropriate for their age. Still, most of the interview partners successfully manage to combine occupational and private duties with their gaming activities.
KW - Media and communication studies
KW - adult gamers
KW - gaming careers
KW - everyday game use
KW - social gaming
KW - qualitative interview study
U2 - 10.1177/1555412008325480
DO - 10.1177/1555412008325480
M3 - Journal articles
VL - 4
SP - 27
EP - 46
JO - Games and Culture
JF - Games and Culture
SN - 1555-4120
IS - 1
ER -